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Single Story Video: Depression

https://youtu.be/RkHwsKhn07k Despite the fact that the process of creating this video was stressful and exhausting, I'm really pleased with how it came out. I struggled for the longest time to come up with an idea. I actually had one idea that I was going to do that I ended up changing at the last minute (see my storyboard in my portfolio). It was important to me that I handle the subject matter delicately. I knew what message I wanted to get across, but I didn't know how to bring that message to screen in a way that way tactful and honest. The message I wanted to emphasize is that you don’t have to be constantly exhibiting/experiencing the diagnostic criteria/stereotypical aspects of depression to be struggling. It was important for me personally, and for my single story development, to accept that someone can be outwardly happy and still struggling internally. I realized that a depressed person can feel happiness without it invalidating their mental illness. In other words,...
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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Another place where Katniss's depression is extremely obvious is after Prim's death at the end of the novel.  "I badly need help working this out, only everyone I trust is dead. Cinna. Boggs. Finnick. Prim. There's Peeta, but he couldn't do any more than speculate, and who knows what state his mind's in, anyway.And that leaves onlyGale. He's far away, but even if he were beside me, could I confide in him? What could I say, how could I phrase it, without implying that it was his bomb that killed Prim? The impossibility of that idea, more than any, is why Snow must be lying."
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Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Katniss's depression in Mockingjay is subtle, but very present. I remember reading Mockingjay as a teen and not noticing Katniss's depression because as a reader and fan of the series, I was caught up in the excitement and wonder of wanting to find out what happens next. One place where Katniss's depression felt especially present was during one of her early interactions with President Coin, President of District 13. Coin has been ensured that Katniss will "act" as the Mockingjay for their rebellion, but Katniss is over it. Peeta has been captured by the Capital and Katniss, confined to district 13, doesn't have much to do/work toward. She is at the mercy of President Coin, yet bargains with her. She proposes an ultimatum. She demands immunity for Peeta, being allowed to hunt, getting to keep Prim's cat, and her killing Snow. She proposes an ultimatum without much care or thought. She doesn't care about her own safety. She just wants to seek vengeance ...
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Depression: A Very Short Introduction

On page 22-23,  Depression: A Very Short Introduction includes an example of the diagnostic criteria for major depression. The diagnostic criteria is as follows: Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week period and represent a change previous functioning at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.  depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by subjective or observer reports markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day feelings of worthlessness or excessive ...
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Depression: A Very Short Introduction

I got this nonfiction book, titled Depression: A Very Short Introduction , in an attempt to try to understand some of the why behind depression. One chapter I found interesting was titled, "Who is at risk of depression?" Those at highest risk of depression... depression is most prevalent in those who are economically disadvantaged rates of depression in women are consistently found to be 2x that of men loss of a partner by death, divorce, etc. increases rates of depression highest risk of suicide are those age 15-24 and those over 65 years of age 5% of the global population will be depressed at any one time & 15% of the global population will experience depression at some point in their lifetime average age of onset of depression is mid to late 20s according to the World Health Organization, someone commits suicide every minute  "Most individuals with depression can and do recover from their illness episode and, even if they experience further relapses,...
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Depression & Other Magic Tricks by Sabrina Benaim

This following poem made me think about how depression can make you unrecognizable both to yourself and to those you love. You might become a caricature of yourself, so at first, they notice nothing wrong. By the time they realize you aren't okay or fine or alright or any of the other pleasantries you've been claiming to be, they can't understand what happened or where the person who they know you as went.  the other side of a  memory  we could have told you  she wasn't herself since the tenth  grade  sure, she still had a laugh like  electricity  still went to dance class  put on mascara each morning for  school  but something was off  something like how a light switch  will still turn on  a half burnt bulb  it was hard to tell if she was a  stubborn surge  or a tired, dimming circuit  then she started working  weekends  stopped making it for dinner on  ...
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Depression & Other Magic Tricks by Sabrina Benaim

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"Depression & Other Magic Tricks" is a collection of poetry by Sabrina Benaim. Most of the poems regard her depression. One of the first poems in the collection is called "explaining my depression to my mother a conversation ." I included a video of her performing this poem below. I found it to be really powerful. Her anxiety is palpable and the mood is tense. This poem made me think about the different ways in which those with depression are affected by how their families/loved ones interact with them due to their depression. Sabrina's poem is about conversation with her mom about her depression. I found the poem to be quite sad. Her mom doesn't quite get it, but seems to want to help. She gives advice, but the wrong advice. You can tell she doesn't view depression as an illness or a disease, but as something that you get over, something you get over by lighting candles or going out. Her mom even says, "happy is a decision." I think t...
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